GIFT GUIDE 2008
First Grade Gifts
Gifts for a 6-Year-Old or 7-Year-Old
From toys that stand the test of time to board games that are anything but boring, we found the best first grade products for a six-year-old or seven-year-old. Our list of loot is kid-tested, teacher approved, and full of options for any family, so get wrappin'!
Woody Click Family Home
This modern house courts boys and girls alike, with its cool modular construction possibilities. Pieces can be clicked together in whichever way your young architect chooses, simply by sliding small pegs into holes and stacking or swiveling at will.
Ranger Rick Magazine
Where do dolphins sleep? How do birds steer? Kids are bursting with curiosity and this magazine, courtesy of the National Wildlife Federation, is full of amazing facts, hands-on activities, and photography of the world and the creatures that call it home. Each month, they'll run for the mailbox!
Airline Terminal
If you think long lines at the airport can never be fun, think again. This set turns check-in into a super cool adventure, with a sleek counter, swiveling computer monitor, and moving luggage belt, so kids can watch suitcases wind all the way from the attendant to the plane.
Toot and Otto
Sometimes, it's the simple things that give us the most pleasure, and do the most good for our brains! This game is a cross between a three-dimensional word-search puzzle and the classic strategy game Connect Four, with quirky dogs, Toot and Otto, as the game's mascots.
Madame Pamplemousse and Her Incredible Edibles
Full of incredibly creative ingredients and fairytale characters, this book reminds us of early Roald Dahl. And, just as with books like Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, it makes a wonderfully delicious read-aloud for first graders who are inching towards chapter books.
Marble Run
Marble runs have been a kid classic for years and it's no wonder-- they provide hours of whizzy fun, in addition to a shot of fine-motor practice and pre-engineering skills. This one's a real looker, but it's made of environmentally friendly rubberwood.
Castella 3
This strategy game is made of bamboo-- a fast-growing, earth-friendly raw material, and it's colored with non-toxic, water-based paint. A bit like a 3-D version of the age-old game of Dots and Squares, Castella forces kids to think ahead, building their strategy skills in the process.
Color-Your-Own Farmhouse
Encourage your kid to draw on the walls! At least the walls of this house... Large enough for friends to play inside, too, this easy-to-assemble cardboard farmhouse is like a hopped-up version of the playing-in-the-discarded-refrigerator-box idea.
Harris Finds His Feet
This is not a book to be rushed through in the mad dash for bedtime. Though it's short, with only a few lines of text on each page, this is a book that should be savored. Beautiful watercolor illustrations sweep across every page, bringing to life the story of Harris, a wild hare with enormous feet.
Deluxe Puppet Theater and a Gaggle of Puppets
Set the hands of the move-able clock, put out the chalkboard marquis, and part the velvet curtains...it's showtime! This well-made wooden theater offers hours of imaginative play. Perfect for developing storytelling skills, and turning a day cooped up inside into a dramatic adventure!
FunSlides Carpet Skates
These carpet skates can provide some great gross motor exercise when going outside just isn't an option. Carpet skating is like sliding on a hardwood floor in your socks, but better. Strap on these plastic planks, clear a safe space in your hallway or living room, and let the games begin!
Window Nest Box
Attach this simple birdhouse to a window and breathe some life into what your kid's learning in school. The solid wood house has a clear plastic panel at the back for easy viewing. A sure way to stoke a love for science and give your first grader a bird's eye view of the natural world!
Popular Mechanics for Kids 6-DVD Boxed Set
From sliding down sewers, to watching what happens when a toilet flushes green dye, to riding a roller coaster for over an hour in order to understand the physics behind loop-de-loops, this fantastic DVD series culls the best episodes from Discovery Channel's now defunct television series.
Cesar Takes a Break
Cesar is the class pet in Ms. Lee's second grade room, and the luckiest iguana on the planet until disaster strikes...Spring Break! His 25 best friends race for the door and Cesar finds himself alone for the week. He's a puddle of sadness until Cesar decides to take a vacation of his own.
Sudoku Jr. 4 x 4
Think Sudoku is too advanced for your first grader? Think again. This is a kid-friendly version of the popular puzzles. In this version, the 48 playing cards only contain the numbers 1-4, and children must place the color-coded tokens on the cards to complete the challenge. Kids, we've got your ...
Lego City Coast Guard Patrol Boat and Tower
With 444 pieces, this baby will keep your kid scrambling around the rug for hours. Where to start-- the cargo ship, the patrol tower, or the dock? Because it comes with three separate models to build, it's easy to convince a child to put down the pieces and save some for later.
